ISLAMABAD, April 07, 2011: People affected by last year’s devastating floods have voiced concerns over the treatment meted out to them and said the reconstruction and relief efforts have had little impact on their lives.

“Despite efforts of the government and international supporters, fear of not having enough money to meet basic needs remained virtually unchanged,” a survey commissioned by Oxfam said on Wednesday.
 
“Pakistan’s flood affectees want their basic needs addressed. They want jobs, cheaper food and healthcare. They want their representatives (in parliament) to concentrate on meeting those needs,” the survey report said.

HIt said the calamity provided the authorities an opportunity to reshape their relationship with the people.

Oxfam commissioned the Pakistan Flood Affectees Survey in January to record the views of the flood-hit people. The survey involving opinion of 2,040 people, carried out between January 15 and 24 in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, provides a compelling insight into the needs and desires of those who survived the country’s worst calamity.

The survey, carried out by the Free and Fair Election Network for Oxfam, found that besides jobs those affected thought the availability of affordable food, homes and healthcare needed to be prioritised as reconstruction began.

According to the UN, 1.6 million homes were damaged or destroyed and more than five million jobs lost in the calamity.


Courtesy: The DAWN